A memorial service to be held on Thursday evening for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire has been called an “opportunity for healing and truth," by a relative of two of the victims.

Clarrie Mendy lost her cousin Mary Mendy and the latter’s daughter Khadija when the flames engulfed the tower block back in June.

The memorial service for the pair will be held in St Paul’s Cathedral later this evening, and Mendy said she hoped the names of the 71 victims of the blaze would be read out during the service as a mark of respect.

She told the Press Association there was a lot of expectation ahead of the service, which will be markedly different from traditional ceremonies at the famous church.

Mendy said she hoped a lot of the families would find healing from the service, and that it would enrich the soul.

More than 1,500 people are thought to be attending the service at St Paul’s.

A number of these are believed to be bereaved families and survivors, as well as first responders to the fire, volunteers, and members of the local community.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn are also thought to be attending.